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Highs and lows [2015-06-22]

One thing about our time overseas, we definitely experience wide emotional swings – both highs and lows – well beyond those that occur in our daily life in America.  This week was a classic case of that: the thrill of watching students use the Reneal IEO system, followed by discovering a laptop with a dead screen that needs replacement.  The intense worry about computers frequently hanging up at one of the schools, and then the joy of Neal finding a solution… only to have a different system problem emerge.  The bonding and sharing with teachers at the different schools where we work, but tempered by the sadness of seeing so many needs yet unfulfilled following the destruction of Typhoon Yolanda.  It’s definitely a roller-coaster, but these trips are what makes it all worthwhile!  And for all of our worrying and complaining, it is clear how fortunate we are in the grand scheme of things.

Neal, Jade, Jillian, and I spent most of last week up in northern Cebu.  We made the system updates at Daanbantayan NHS and Kawit NHS.  However much of our time was spent visiting and evaluating other schools in Medellin and Daanbantayan as prospects for 2016.  So much was lost in Typhoon Yolanda, including of course many computer units.  Here are just a few examples of what some of the high schools have right now in the way of IT resources:

- 6 computers for 618 students
- 3 computers for 752 students
- 8 computers for 1085 students
- 6 computers for 234 students
- NO computers for 530 students

It really fills us with a sense of urgency to find resources so these students can have the benefit of modern technology in their education.  Donations of functioning computers and monitors, even pretty old units, can really change the lives of these students.

The week ended with a wonderful outing at Hide-Away, a resort in Medellin.  Two of the teachers at Kawit NHS prepared delicious foods, and we spent a lovely morning with them talking, eating, and relaxing.  Neal was able to do some snorkeling, and it was a great way to end a busy week.  We’re back home now, finishing up the last of our updates this week: Labogon NHS in Mandaue, Liloan NHS, and Carmen NHS.  At least some of the team will also return to Tayud to fix the second network cable that was chewed open by rats.  Never a dull moment here!